KC Tennis Challenge Ladders

A challenge ladder is a fun way to play tennis, as well as for ranking tennis players according to their skill levels. As members of the ladder play each other, their relative positions are adjusted to reflect the results of their play.

The purpose of a tennis challenge ladder is to allow all tennis players, from the beginning novice to the serious, experienced player, to meet and play other tennis enthusiasts at their own skill levels. Whether you play only occasionally, "just for fun," or prefer to compete several times a week, you can meet others at your level. You will also have the opportunity to improve your play by challenging others who are slightly more advanced.

Operation of the ladder

This is a real-time online tennis ladder that reflects the current position of each player (given that all completed matches have been posted). Each active ladder will show the current ranking of players and the results of recent matches between ladder members.

The following section describes the rules that apply to challenge ladder play. The primary purpose behind the rules is to allow the ladder to operate properly, contributing to the enjoyment of all players on the ladder. The most important rule of the challenge ladder is that common sense and sportsmanlike courtesy should be applied in every situation.

Challenge Ladder Rules

The initial ranking of players on a ladder is based on their positions at the end of the previous season. New players are added to the bottom of the ladder. The initial rankings of a new ladder will be based on establish USTA rating and then my last name alphabetically.

In general, a player may challenge any other player above his or her position who is within the legal challenge range. The legal challenge range will contain the 4 players immediately above your current ladder position. For the enjoyment of tennis you may informally challenge anyone but the match will not be recorded as an official ladder match. Invalid challenges are not accepted for use in the adjustment of relative position on the ladder. The challenger is responsible for verifying the validity of the challenge.

Members are not required to accept more than one challenge per week. Otherwise, however, members must accept valid challenges from other members and play the match within 7 days of the initial challenge, or accept a loss by default. Players are not required to accept a challenge from another player they have defeated within the past two weeks.

Players may not issue or accept more than one challenge at a time. A ladder match is only valid, however, if the players are within legal challenge range at the time of the match. Of course, members are free to play matches that are not valid; the results will simply be ignored.

The time and location should be mutually agreeable to both players with every effort to play the match within 7 days of the challenge. If a mutual time cannot nbe set within 7 days of the challenge the challenger, as an act of good sportsmanship, should recind the challenge and then reissue the challenge. At such time both player should make every effort to find a mutally agreed upon time to play within 7 days.

A match should be completed within seven (7) days of the challenge, unless extenuating circumstances prevent it.

The challenger is responsible for providing tennis balls, in good condition, for the match. It is generally best to have a new can available in case it is needed. The standard rules of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) apply to ladder matches. The usual method of scoring is based on winning two of three sets, with a tie-break at the end of any set that reaches a score of six games each. In the tie-break, the first to win seven points wins the set, but must win by at least two points. The third set is a tie-break set.

The winner of the match is responsible for posting the results onlinewithin 24 hours.

The purpose of the ladder is to encourage players to play. A player who is inactive for four periods is subject to being moved down in the ranking at that time, with additional penalties each succeeding period of inactivity.

The rules will be interpreted and disputes between members will be settled at the sole discretion of the ladder coordinator.

As is prudent in any recreational activity, and especially when involved with others, members should exercise due care in their involvement in a challenge ladder. The operators of the ladder cannot be responsible for injury to members or others, damage to property, or other liability arising out of membership in and use of the challenge ladder. By participating in a challenge ladder, each member accepts and agrees to abide by its rules.

Tips for Greater Enjoyment

A new member on a challenge ladder may find that the first one or two matches played on the ladder appear to be mismatches (in terms of skill levels). Don't be discouraged -- as the season progresses, the ladder sorts itself into order. You will soon discover other members with whom you can play comfortably. In addition to the relative rankings, you may find it useful to look at the results of specific matches. This can give you a further clue to the levels of other players, and gives some indication of players that you may want to challenge.

So don't just sit there -- register! Like you, the other members of your challenge ladder are eager to play. And, regardless of your frequency or level of play, there are tennis matches waiting for you!

Select the desired Challenge Ladder below.